Preparing students for life. A message from the Headteacher Dear Parents, Students and Staff,
It is amazing how time flies, and we are now heading into the last week of the academic year. This has not slowed down our students in any way, and all of our Elementary classes have been busy with their end of year shows which showcase all the hard work that has gone on throughout the course of the year. Our Middle and High School students have also been ensuring that they finish the year on a high, not only by reflecting on the year that has passed, but also by looking at what their priorities will be for the coming year. I wish you all a relaxing weekend.
Mr Thompson Dates for your diary
Tue 22 June Y6 into Y7 - Transition Morning MHS Virtual Parent Reps meeting, 09.00 EY/ES Virtual Parent Reps meeting, 09.30
Wed 23 June Y12 TOK exhibition
Thur 24 June Elementary concerts end
Fri 25 June Last day of term 3. Classes end normally, full school day.
Mon 28 June Summer Camp starts.
Photos of the week Photo 1: 6K rehearse for their end of year summer show Photo 2: Karen, together with other CAS students in Year 12, have been helping Ms Vivanco with the performances Photo 3: 3A perform 'A Space Musical' Photo 4: 2JC perform 'The Wizard of Oz'
Please be reminded that a professional recording of each of the shows will be shared with parents asap in July.
On 14th June and 15th June, two teams of RIS students took part in the Globeducate online debates.
Ginevra, Flaminia, Vittoria and Adriana in Year 10 debated against TIPS International School (India), advocating that "The School System Does Not Need to Change". It was a lively and intense debate that saw our students arguing in favour of tradition, continuity, and shared values between previous generations, current and future ones.
Middle School students, Nina, Noray, Sasha and Tobias (photo 2) debated against Cours Hattemer French International School advocating that "Green is the Best Colour". It was a truly outstanding competition that saw our students stating the importance of the green environmental movement as our first priority in order to guarantee life and health for both the human species and the animal realm.
Thank you to Ms MacCallum for coordinating this event. Contact us to express your interest in an after-school debating club for Middle/High students next year. Eco Committee news
As we approach the end of the school year, we had our final Elementary Eco Council meeting. We reflected on our many achievements this year, including the Meatless Monday initiative, Wear it Wild dress up day with recycled costumes, and a number of animal adoptions to support endangered animals. We also look forward to our upcoming garden project for next year! Thank you to the Elementary Eco Council for their hard work! Ms Garofalo, Eco Council Coordinator & Y5 teacher This week in 5G
For the end of year project, we chose to learn about traditional foods. We taught the class a recipe from Slovakia: cucumber salad. First, we mixed water and lemon together, after that, everyone added salt, pepper and sugar to their taste. Then we added the cucumber. The recipe was delicious at the end! Oliver and Aziz (5G) This week in Tiger Class
Tiger Class (Y2C) students have been very busy this week learning lines and songs for the class performance, making props and figuring out stage management! Between rehearsals there has been some time for learning as well. The boys and girls have been learning about internet safety, playing snakes and ladders phonics and using their 'left' and 'right' skills playing twister (and falling over, a lot). Ms Chambers 2C reflect on saving the planet
As the year comes to an end 2C have been reflecting on how to save and protect our Planet. During our nature walks around school, students have shown an observant appreciation of nature and a growing enthusiastic commitment to caring for the environment thereby building an early understanding of how personal actions and choices have a positive or negative impact. MHS WEEK 1 TIMETABLE 21 TO 25 JUNE 2021 Dear RIS Community,
As things draw to a close on what has been at times a challenging year, it's time to reflect on all that we have achieved. In challenging times, a sharp focus on a 'brighter tomorrow' is encouraged for obvious reasons. However, I would encourage all of us to also find time to reflect as we finish this year and continue to prepare for next year.
Students have just finished their end of year examinations. As the results and feedback start to reach students and their families there will be a range of responses. Some of our students will feel very pleased with themselves, some will be disappointed and some will perhaps not be too concerned at all. Whichever group your child falls into, please remember that these end of year examinations are not the sum total or complete measure of how successful this year has been for your child. We cannot measure how successful a child has been (especially after a year like the one we have just faced) with a simple number or letter. This year has affected everyone in different ways. Some students (particularly our older ones) have faced huge periods of time at home this year so perhaps simply maintaining a healthy routine may have been their greatest achievement. Our younger students remained in school throughout the year but have just faced their first set of 'scary' examinations. Maybe, simply completing them will be a success in itself. It's what happens next that is important. This can only be addressed after a period of reflection. So, as we head into our final week of school, please be kind to yourselves and others and please find time to look at the bigger picture in terms of how we all measure success. Remember, it means different things to different people. Have a wonderful weekend.
Mr Mongare
A message from the
Dear RIS community,
We have have nearly reached the end of this academic year. Despite the challenges experienced through the last months, I feel so grateful for the way students, teachers and families have been working together to make it such a successful year. I would like to thank you all for the support and spirit you have shown, it has made a real difference.
On Tuesday 22nd June, our Year 6 students will have a Transition Morning and experience three lessons with Middle and High School teachers. In particular, they will have three taster sessions for English, Maths and Science. Mr Opas will deliver the English lessons, Mr Parker will deliver Maths lessons and I will deliver Science lessons. Have a great weekend.
Mr Baldoni Enriching experiences: IB Italian language students enjoy guest talks
In Italian B Higher level we are currently reading the novel "Accabadora" by Michela Murgia. The novel tells the story of an unconventional family, an adoptive mother and her daughter. The mother is an "accabadora", a controversial character from an archaic Sardinia, one who soothes the terminally ill and eventually helps them end their life if they choose to do so. Mrs Valentina De Gennaro, a RIS parent who has a Sardinian background, visited our class on Friday to share her precious insights into the history and culture of Sardinia, with a special emphasis on the taboos that surrounded the world of the "accabadora".
Also on Friday, Italian A & B students listened to an informative talk by a RIS parent, Mrs Francesca Ricchi, about her profession as a novelist and a poet. Look out for the highlights from this talk in next week's edition!
On Tuesday 17th June, Year 7 students took part in a volleyball tournament, which was a great opportunity to apply all of the skills developed during their lessons in a competitive scenario.
Year 7 did a fantastic job and showed just how knowledgeable they are as they took on the roles of both players and referees!
At the end of the tournament, Mr Thompson was present to reward the top performers and team during a medal ceremony. The medals awarded covered different sporting events that took place throughout this academic year, such as the Badminton tournament, Globeducate Olympics and volleyball competition.
Congratulations Year 7, I am proud of you!
Ms D'Alessandro, Teacher of P.E. and Y7 Form Tutor Dear Parents,
June is Pride Month. It's a month where people all around the world get together to create a safe environment where everyone feels loved and welcome. On that note, some of the students at RIS came up with the idea to have a day at school where we celebrate this special occasion. This is important to show that every student at RIS is treated equally, no matter what.
This event is celebrated specifically in June to commemorate the 'stonewall riots' that occurred at the end of June in 1969 in which many people started to protest and stand up for themselves in police raids on gay bars. Police raids had become a routine during the 1960's but that ended thanks to a strong protest at the Stonewall inn in New York.
So, on Wednesday 23rd June, we will be celebrating at school. Some of the guidelines of this event include:
Naturally, not all students have to partake in these activities if they don't want to. Thank you all for reading this article. We hope you have a fantastic weekend!
Pride Celebration Team Curriculum and Assessment Update
Dear All,
Congratulations to all students - Exams are over! Well done to those pupils in Year 9 who took the Terza Media exams this week, I hope you feel that you produced your best work on the day. As stated before, these exams are a 'checkpoint' for where you currently are with regards to your progress, please treat them as such. Take 24 hours to 'feel' - be that happy, sad or indifferent - and then start working on your 'next steps' plan. That is the point of these exams - to provide you with a clear basis on which to build your academic goals for the coming year.
As mentioned by Mr Mongare, this time of year is a moment on which to reflect and we do that as teachers as well. These results will support our work for planning for the coming year, help us to tweak our curricular in order to best support each individual cohort and help to make plans for differentiation to help support each individual. Please make sure you take the time to read the comments given to you by your teachers - this is what will help you to improve. Remember that reports will be released on the last day of school and these will contain some useful feedback too.
With one week left of school, I hope that everyone is looking forward to the holidays and some well deserved rest and relaxation. Keep an eye out in next week's newsletter for some reading lists to help you choose some interesting reading over the holiday!
All the best, Miss Bell |